MYRModel Year Report

1996 Lincoln Continental

▲ Better than typical
1996 Lincoln Continental
RENDERED 2026-09-16T16:51:51.811Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Lincoln Continental Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1985 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 9 complaints 1988: 89 complaints 1989: 161 complaints 1989 1990: 160 complaints 1991: 206 complaints 1992: 126 complaints 1993: 122 complaints 1993 1994: 191 complaints 1995: 70 complaints 1996: 48 complaints 1996 1997: 96 complaints 1997 1998: 72 complaints 1999: 42 complaints 2000: 63 complaints 2001: 32 complaints 2001 2002: 33 complaints 2017: 75 complaints 2018: 19 complaints 2019: 32 complaints 2019 2020: 7 complaints 2020
1996: 48 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19821
19832
19846
198515
19868
19879
198889
1989161
1990160
1991206
1992126
1993122
1994191
199570
199648
199796
199872
199942
200063
200132
200233
201775
201819
201932
20207

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SUSPENSION 29%

29% of complaints: suspension — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and air suspension system.

VISIBILITY 21%

21% of complaints: visibility — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rearview mirrors/devices and exterior.

POWER TRAIN 15%

15% of complaints: power train — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SUDDENLY JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND ROLLED FOWARD INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS NOT IN VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, SAID THAT THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS STANDING, REPAIRS HAVE TO BE MADE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990208

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION AT 30-40 MPH. *TT

NHTSA ODI report, 20021001

THE GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT SHIFT. IT WILL SLIDE UP AND DOWN INTERMITTENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND WILL NOT MOVE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20020930

STEERING 15%

15% of complaints: steering — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and gear box (other than rack and pinion).

SERVICE BRAKES 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19951229 — exterior lighting

A DEFECTIVE CONTROL MODULE IN THE "AUTOLAMP" SYSTEM CAN MALFUNCTION. IF THE "AUTOLAMP" SYSTEM IS BEING USED TO ACTIVATE THE EXTERIOR LIGHT (INCLUDING HEADLAMPS), THE HEADLAMPS COULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT W

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE "AUTOLAMP" CONTROL MODULE. OWNERS ARE INSTRUCTED TO USE THE MANUAL HEADLAMP SWITCH UNTIL THE CONTROL MODULE CAN BE REPLACED.

Campaign 96V009000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19961009 — power train

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL SHAFT MAY NOT BE FREE TO ROTATE AS INTENDED. IF THE PARK PAWL SHAFT DOES NOT ROTATE, IT WOULD PREVENT THE PARK PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARK GEAR WHEN THE SHIFT LEV

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROTATION AND THOSE SHAFTS WITH RESTRICTED ROTATION WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHORTER SHAFT THAT WILL NOT RESTRICT ROTATION.

Campaign 96V176000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160526 — service brakes, hydraulic

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598,...

Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

Campaign 16E026000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Lincoln Continental — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V009000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V176000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16E026000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2001 ▲ 2019 ▲ 2002

WORST YEARS

■ 1991 ■ 1994 ■ 1989

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Lincoln Continental reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Lincoln Continental is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Lincoln Continental?

The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Lincoln Continental have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.